30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Overlooked and Underappreciated

Whenever collectors talk about iconic memorabilia cards, Ken Griffey Jr's 1997 Upper Deck Game Jerseycard is usually part of the discussion and rightfully so. It was a part of a historic set... the first baseball game worn jersey memorabilia card set ever produced.Plus it featured one of the most popular baseball players of the era and arguably the best player in the game at the time. And when you factor in how tough this card was to pull (1:800packs), it's no wonder this card still sells in the $500price range.But often lost in Griffey'sshadow are the two other players on this set's checklist: Tony Gwynn and Rey Ordonez.

1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey #GJ3

Okay. I understand why Rey Ordonez doesn't receive a lot of recognition. Sure he was a 3x Gold Glove Awardwinning shortstop playing in New York, however he wasn't exactly the hottest rookie in the game. That title should have gone to the other shortstop playing in New York.But the third guy on the checklist is a bonafide first ballot hall of famer and was one of the best pure hitters of his generation.

1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey #GJ2

Yet I was able to pick up this jersey card a while back over at Dave and Adam's Card World for a little under$10. Some of you might be thinking that spending $10 for a memorabilia card is a little outrageous, but compared to Griffey the Gwynn is a steal.I'll never deny The Kid'sgreatness. He was the driving force for the hobby for years... whereas Mr. Padre was buried in San Diego his entire twenty year career. But is Griffey really worth 25 to 50times more than Gwynn? Well... based on what collectors are paying... I guess he is.But that's okay, because that just means that Gwynn and Ordonezcollectors have the opportunity to grab a really cool piece of history for a reasonable price.In addition to advocating for Gwynn and Ordonez's 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey card, I'm also using them for my Day 28submission to Tony's 30 Day Baseball Card Challenge, which asks us to show off a favorite relic/manufactured relic card.So there are two of my favorite relic cards. What about you?

Do you have a favorite relic or manufactured relic sitting in your collection?

I don't know about a favorite relic - maybe my So Taguchi Bazooka relic from circa 05 because it was one that I pulled and So went on to play for the Cubbies. However, speaking of short term Cubs that no one remembers playing in Chicago, I remember declaring Rey Ordonez to be my favorite player during his brief time with the Cubbies in '04. He was still a slick fielder, but inept as ever with the bat, and signed only to serve as a stopgap when Alex Gonzalez got hurt. I don't know why I declared him to be my fav - but, I think that's where my fascination with "cameo Cubs" got it's start.

I have a Ruth bat relic but honestly, no matter what the back of the card says, I always have a tiny shadow of doubt as to whether or not those type of things are legit. I've got a Mel Ott jersey swatch card with is actually a cooler looking card than the Ruth.Maybe my favorite is a Jim Bouton jersey relic with a pinstripe. It's kind of neat.

I have a Carlos Gonzales bat relic. It's from a Archives set. Bought one of those 7 packs box and got it. I think it's the only bat relic I have. It's here: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkxaH99aujU/VJLronHeEtI/AAAAAAAAOz8/pydCBrb66ss/s1600/IMAG0344.jpg

I also like the Billy Butler fabric relic I got because it's a mini from A&G. Also from one of those value boxes with 7 or so packs. Also here: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVoBFoUH3aI/VJLqKYMLHVI/AAAAAAAAOzo/VYVdVQm9h3g/s1600/IMAG1386.jpg

Then I got this precious Mark Teixeire fabric relic from the almighty 5ToolCollector. Love Mark. He's one of my all time favourite player. Plays a big importance he has Portuguese ancestry (his father). Check my precious here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIl29HFCvfo/UXrdrBXjY-I/AAAAAAAAEG8/mpcskxPCenc/s1600/IMAG1598.jpg

But the most comic relics I got was some weird fabric relics that included a e-card. Yep. That's right...You can check again the story I posted lol: http://hobbycardseurope.blogspot.pt/2014/03/hit-its-relic-for-what-it-is.html

About Me

I've been collecting cardboard off and on since the early 80's. I'm presently collecting. But who knows what the future holds in store for me.
One thing is for certain... I'll have my blog to help relive some of my favorite hobby moments.